My name is Ileana Turchínov, and I was born in La Paz, Bolivia, the heart of South America. I arrived in the United States in 1983 and decided to settle in The Woodlands. What attracted me to this community was its tranquility and abundance of trees, which was a contrast to the cold I had experienced in other places I had lived before, such as the state of Minnesota.

At that time, The Woodlands was very different. There was only one neighborhood that we knew as Grogans Mill, and the community was small and close-knit. My children grew up here, attending public schools where they received an excellent education, which allowed them to thrive in their lives. Despite my divorce, I decided to stay in The Woodlands because I had already formed friendships and built a life here. One of my first friends was Alma Ledwin, and together we became part of a group called International Friends, which still exists today.

When I think back to how The Woodlands was in those early days, many fond memories come to mind. I remember when Brookshire Brothers was one of the few grocery stores, and there was an ice skating rink where the Market Street area is now. Although the community has grown and changed a lot, I still enjoy the easy access to hospitals, stores, and parks, as well as the bike trails that run throughout the area.

However, one thing that concerns me is that in the newer communities, tree preservation is not as strict as it used to be. The Woodlands has always stood out for its natural surroundings, and I hope that doesn’t get lost over time.

In summary, my experiences here have mostly been wonderful, and I feel grateful to have found a home in The Woodlands, a place that has given me so much and where I have been able to build a full and satisfying life.